Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-06-24
THE ALSATIAN ORGANISE.

w HO COtllu kuOCk dU HIS uOOE uu SUCH Ill
hour of the evening? 1t was $50 p. NJ,
and since the German occupation of the
city, which occurred o week ago, the
streets were lonely and sad, even during
daylight. The inhabitants, ashamed OF
undergoing the presence of the invaders,
remained at home and seldom went out.
In these circumstances those two knocks
were a whole event. Gravely Richter put
his pipe on the table, shook his long legs
and opened the door.
what! it is you, Christel?'' exclaimed
he, looking at his visitor, who was the
beadle of the parish. ''The deuce! what
brings you here at this hour of the night?'
an. Richter" answered the beadIe, out
of breath, 81 ask your pardon, but mon
sieur the curate sends me''
elias a misfortune befallen him?''
II do not know; but he sends me to
you, because he wants you to come imme-
diately to his house,
And the poor beadle stopped to regain
his breath.
care you mad ~ answered the must
clan. "Monsieur the curate does not want
me this evening""
eyes, sir, he wants you this very even
ing-this very minute"
"My God my God what has happened?'
murmured the organist.
And he told the beadle to take seat
while he went in search of his cane and
hat.
Richter and the beadle, marching rap
idly, crossed the silent city. The streets
were deserted; alone few German Off
GERS, dragging their heavy swords on the
pavement, were leaving the taverns
The musician and his companion arrived
before the priests house. Citrate Schle-
gel, whe was waiting for them, opened the
door.
Curate Schlegel was a handsome old
man of 70 years; his hair, very thick. was
snow white, and his big blue eyes reflected
frankness and loyalty. In buttonhole
of his gown red ribbon-the ribbon of
the legion of honor-was tied, as well
deserved reward for fifty years of devout-
ness, charity and patriotism.
That evening Curate Schlegel was very
pale.
"Ah! thanks, my good Richter" said
he to the musician, who opened his eyes
widely to see better the astonishing sur
prise in store for him. ''Come in and shut
the door behind you. l wanted to see
you, my FRIEND" continued the curate,
under the impression of a violent emotion
that he was unable to repress. IT needed
you very much, indeed, as | must have a
talk with you.''
Then, taking the hands of the organist
in his own, he looked fixedly at him and
added:
"My poor Richter, we are very unfor-
tunate''
Richter remained immobile as if petri-
fed.
"Take and read, my FRIEND" and the
priest handed him little piece of paper.
"That is what a German soldier brought
to me from his general''
Richter took the paper and read:
"By orders emanating from the general
military governor of the city of Mulhau-
sen, it is commanded to Citrate Schlegel,
pastor of the Catholic church of this city,
to sing tie deum in music next Sunday,
at noon, in his church, and to pray for his
Majesty Wilhelm, king of Prussia, the
royal family, the German kings, princes
and grand dukes, the allies of his majesty.
The military and civil authorities shall be
present."
The organist fell on chair speeches..
"What shame what a shamer' re-
peated the curate, ''to be compelled to
sing tie deum in honor of our invaders. -
''In the name of the Almighty, what is
your intention, Curate Schlegel?" ex-
claimed Richter.
"Obey."
The organist rose from his seat closed
his fists and rushed against the miserable
priest.
''Obey, did you sayS' cried he.
eyes, obey" replied the curate. HWe
are completely at the mercy of those
brutes If it was question of myself
alone would refuse. A man of 10 years
of age is not a very precious hostage. At
this period of my life L am good for moth
ing; now they do not want me, they are
seeking a pretext for plundering, impris-
oning and killing our co-citizens, our
brothers, and we must protect them, even
if we are to die with sorrow Yes,
Richter, we will sing tie deum, and it is
for that, my good friend, wanted to see
you"
''Do not ask me to play on the organ,
monsieur the curate. I cannot do that;
l shall not do that. I cannot play for
them"
'Richter, said so myself when 1 re-
ceived that order, and now l have changed
my mind. 1t is not the Frenchman who
is speaking to you, my friend; it is the
l.
souls; it is the shepherd who wants to pro-
tect his lambs; it is the minister of God
of peace and love who is willing to take
his share of the chalice of humiliation of
the divine Master. A refusal from you,
Richter, and all Is lost. That is why T
have relied on your assent, my poor
friend.'
'Let it be done What piece would
have to perform?" answered the musician
with stifed voice.
''The shortest"
sAn right, monsieur the curate Good
by"
And Richter left the old priest, his face
bathed with bitter tears.
Citrate Schlegel knelt and prayed
The following Sunday at noon the Cath
olic church of Mulhausen was invaded by
the ban and the arriere ban of the drag
gers of German sabers, but not a single
inhabitant was seen among them. From
everywhere blue coats with golden but
tons and helmets golden picked poured
in the church. By orders of the German
police an armchair had been placed in the
middle of the principal aisle for the use of
the German military governor of the city
of Mulhausen.
CITRATE Schlegel entered the chancel
heading his clergy. He had removed his
reu r1Upon and was dressed in vestmehrs
of dark purple, as those worn by him for
the celebration of the feast of martyr.
The visage of the sanity priest was as
white as his surplice; he seemed not to see
the mob of soldiers that crowded the
church, and his eyes were always fixed on
the crucifx suspended above the altar.
Since the day of his last interview with
his pastor Richter had disappeared.
He discontinued his music lessons to his
pupils, to whom he forbade his door
That Sunday morning he arrayed hl1nseI
all in black and went to church, syoidsng
the main streets as if he had gSanted 20
hide himself from all eyes When ne ar
rived at the church instead of going be-.